Can You Drink Alcohol While Pregnant? Expert Advice & Safety Tips

As per records 35% of women are in contact with alcohol actively and this rate is continuously rising, especially among youngsters. Alcohol as a toxic substance shows significant negative effects on overall well-being. However, an important and sensitive phase for a woman is the time of pregnancy. During this time some changes occur in the body to nurture the fetus. This phase needs extra care; even normal lifestyle activities and habits should be done with precautions. As many women are in contact with alcohol nowadays, this raises a pressing question: can you drink alcohol while pregnant? How safe is it to consume alcohol when you are expecting? Follow along this blog to know about alcohol and pregnancy.

How Does Alcohol Affect The Body?

As a central nervous depressant, alcohol affects the brain and body in various ways. Studies say that liquor affects almost all organs of the body. It shows both short-term and long-term effects on the consumer’s body. In the short term, it increases confusion, makes it hard to concentrate, and breaks down the ability to judge. But in the long term alcohol can create such issues that are permanent and life-threatening. Alcohol abuse can cause chronic liver damage, weaken the immune system, arrhythmia. Drinking for a prolonged time can develop dependence, which can be devastating, putting effects on your personal life, which is why alcohol addiction treatment is out there in a wide range. It can invite deadly diseases like cancer.

Can You Drink Alcohol While Pregnant Or Not?

Well, unfortunately, no, you should not take alcohol during pregnancy as the result can be terrible. When you drink during your pregnancy, it directly affects your fetus via the placenta. Getting in contact with a deadly substance like alcohol, it causes some serious effects such as permanent physical, intellectual or behavioural disability in the fetus. During pregnancy, it not only affects the baby but also the mother. It can cause nutritional deficiency, more than usual vomiting, and increase the chances of premature labour and miscarriage.

Risks Of Drinking Alcohol During Pregnancy

Alcohol and pregnancy do not go well at all. Drinking liquor in a sensitive phase like pregnancy should be avoided. Because when it is done it brings some potential risks to the mother and baby. These potential effects can be dangerous and can cause lifelong issues. In this section of the blog, we will discuss the possible risks it may pose.

• Increases the risk of miscarriage
• Stillbirth
• Premature birth
• FASDs (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders) include lifetime physical, behavioural, and intellectual disability of the baby. This is the worst problem alcohol can bring to your pregnancy.
• Abnormal facial structure of the baby
• Alcohol can also cause brain damage to your baby and cause problems in the development
• It may cause hardship to the child completing any life activity or having interaction with society.
• SIDS

Safety Level Of Alcohol Drinking During Pregnancy

Research says there is no safe level of alcohol consumption while one is pregnant. When you consume alcohol, it not only affects you but also passes to your child. Your body can process the alcohol and its toxins but your baby cannot. Once an impulse habit or decision can cost you a lot. A deadly substance can cause permanent loss to a developing child, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy. So, it is very much recommended to put alcohol off the table during the whole pregnancy period.

Drinking Without Knowing That You Are Pregnant

The most common query in the first parental visit happens to be this issue, that the mother had taken a few drinks when she did not know that she was pregnant. Well, it is a suggestion to quit drinking when you are planning a pregnancy. But sometimes in many cases some get pregnant right away and without realising they happen to come in contact with a few drinks a few times. That makes them worry about what will happen, well a few drinks at the earliest likely do not cause chronic harm. However, it will be best if you talk to a professional about this for better assurance.

How To Avoid Alcohol During Pregnancy?

Quitting or avoiding alcohol becomes easy for some, mostly for occasional drinkers. On the other hand it becomes tough for those who are in regular contact with alcohol. However, here are some tips for our side to help you quit alcohol to ensure your well-being and that of your baby.

• Find some non-alcoholic alternatives
• See if your partner or a close one wants to help you quit by joining. This will not make you feel alone and it will become easier.
• If alcohol is your relaxation element, find something else that helps you unwind
• Have a conversation with your medical person
• Bring changes to your usual social habits.

FAQs

Conclusion

Pregnancy is a phase that demands nourishment, care, emotional support, comfort and most importantly, safety. Even though alcohol is your go-to unwinding element, during the time of pregnancy, keeping alcohol out of the picture is for the better. However, if you are struggling with quitting drinking, remember that various medical support sources are ready to guide you through.